Golisano College faculty and staff recognized for excellence in annual awards luncheon

Members of Golisano College’s faculty and staff were recognized by their peers at a recent luncheon in which awards were presented for Outstanding Scholarship, Outstanding Educator, and Outstanding Staff member.

Outstanding Scholarship

The Trustees’ Outstanding Scholarship Award was presented to software engineering professor Stephanie Ludi. The award is presented to a scholar whose research “is integral to, and not separated from, all aspects of a student’s educational experience at RIT,” according to the charge of the selection committee. Scholarship that includes student researchers is also a critical factor for judges. Stephanie has been with SE since 2002 and under her leadership the SE graduate program more than doubled from less than fifteen students to more than thirty. She successfully obtained more than $1 million of external funding for her research into accessibility in computing, and works to include students in her research, having published seven different papers with students as co-authors. Moreover, Stephanie was recently named to the AP’s Computer Science Principles Advisory Board, helping shape the AP exam for future students. Stephanie’s dedication to scholarship, specifically making software more accessible to persons with visual disabilities, earned her the committee’s selection.

Outstanding Educator

The Outstanding Educator Award recognizes individual faculty for teaching that “demonstrates sustained instructional excellence over the previous three years. This kind of teaching stimulates intellectual curiosity in students and enhances their Golisano College and RIT educational experience.” This year’s award went to School of Interactive Games & Media (IGM) lecturer Chris Cascioli. In his short time as an educator Chris has made a significant impression on his students, thanks to his tireless dedication to helping students with everything from core concepts to complex projects.

Chris’s teaching evaluations exhibit a pattern of high marks with many students describing him as the best professor they have had at RIT. Chris’s passion for gaming and programming rubs off on his students who have also cited the energy he brings to problem-solving as a reason they enjoy learning from and collaborating with him.

Outstanding Staff Award

The Outstanding Staff Award is designated for staff members that go above-and-beyond their call of duty during the school year. This year’s recipient was Ph.D. Systems Administrator, Charles Gruener. Dean Andrew Sears noted that when Charles is faced with a problem or task, “the answer is always ‘”yes,’” as Charles’ affable demeanor and professionalism has gained the admiration of those who work with him.

Finally, the college took time to recognize milestones related to years spent working at RIT by faculty and staff. Below, find the list of this year’s milestones.